The Brunswick monument, erected just to the east of the Charleroi road. Hamilton- Williams (New Perspective, p209) states that the Duke was killed "in an attempt to lead his cavalry in pushing back the horde of French skirmishers crowding his men." The sequence of events as detailed by Siborne, however, permit a different interpretation. As the pressure mounted upon the Brunswickers, the Duke made preperations for a withdrawal. The Hussars were at this time situated behind the infantry with the Bois de Bossu in their rear. As it would have been impossible for the cavalry to retreat through the wood the Duke moved the Hussars eastwards across the Charleroi road and backwards towards the Namur road. The open ground in front of the Allied positions along the Namur road would have allowed the Hussars the freedom of movement that they required. Meanwhile, the French infantry continued to advance against the Brunswick line and, after a futile attempt to halt the French attack with the Uhlans, the Duke ordered the 1st Linien Battailon to retire down the Charleroi road and the Leib- Battailon to follow the Hussars. But the inexperienced recruits of the Leib-Battailon lost their nerve and they broke formation and fled towards Quatre Bras. It was whilst the Duke was trying to rally his Leib-Bataillon that he was hit.

It is difficult to find a place amongst these actions to fit in Hamilton-Williams' picture of the Duke attacking French skirmishers with his cavalry other than the charge with his Uhlans. Hamilton-Williams also states that after the Duke's death Wellington personally rallied the Brunswick Hussars before leading them forward against the French cavalry. This implies that the Hussars had fled towards Quatre Bras rather than them having retired in an orderly fashion. From this we must assume that Hamilton- Williams is inferring that the Hussars were not ordered to withdraw by Brunswick but that they retreated in confusion after the Duke had been killed whilst leading them against French skirmishers. I can find no evidence to support this. The references to the Brunswick cavalry being in flight occur before the Duke's death (Letters, pp 377-8; New Perspectives, pp 207-8) and after the Duke had been hit and command of the Brunswick Corps had devolved upon Oberst Olfermann (New Perspectives, p209; Siborne's History pp 78-81). I am therefore unable to accept Hamilton Williams explanation of the timing of the Duke's fatal wounding.

The Brunswick Corps at Quatre Bras

Introduction and Background
Brunswick Army 1815
Battle of Quatre Bras
The Brunswick Memorial
Large Map of Quatre Bras Area (slow: 186K)
Brunswick Uniforms 1815 (slow: 104K)